1st quarter 2018: group sales up +6% on a comparable basis ... · follow us on twitter...
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PRESS RELEASE Paris, April 25, 2018
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1st quarter 2018: Group sales up +6% on a comparable basis
Strong momentum in all activities
Key figures Q1 2018 Q1 2018/ Q1 2017
published
Q1 2018/ Q1 2017
comparable1
● Group revenue o/w Gas & Services
€ 5,010 M € 4,831 M
-3.2% -4.3%
+6.0% +5.0%
● Cash flow/sales 19.5%
1st quarter 2018 highlights
● Long-term contracts: oxygen for petrochemicals (United States), hydrogen for chemicals (Benelux)
● Start-ups: the world’s largest oxygen production unit (South Africa), biomethane units (United States and Europe)
● Acquisitions in Healthcare (Saudi Arabia and France)
● Innovation and new markets: operational and optimization center for Large Industries production units (Malaysia), creation of the H2 mobility consortium (Japan), new hydrogen charging stations for mobility (Japan and France)
● External factors: unfavorable currency impact
1 Excluding currency, energy, and significant scope impacts
Commenting on the first quarter of 2018, Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide, said:
“For the first three months of this year, revenue growth was very solid on a comparable basis. It accelerated compared with the previous quarters in a more favorable economic environment. The activity level in terms of new customers’ projects was also higher.
All of our activities leveraged on this environment. The growth of Large Industries, driven by stronger demand in Europe and the start-ups and ramp-ups of new production units, is of particular note, as is the sustained growth of Industrial Merchant. This quarter was also marked by improvement in Engineering & Construction and the ever-dynamic development of Global Markets & Technologies. In addition, all geographies were up, especially Asia, with double-digit sales growth in China.
The Group continues to generate recurring operational efficiency gains and new synergies related to the integration of Airgas. Cash flow remains high, allowing for further targeted investments. In the first quarter, our investment decisions amounted to nearly 600 million euros and will contribute to the future growth of the Group.
Accordingly, assuming a comparable environment, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to deliver net profit growth in 2018, calculated at constant exchange rate and excluding 2017 exceptionals1.”
1 2017 exceptionals: exceptional non-cash items having a net positive impact on 2017 net profit.
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Q1 2018 Group revenue reached € 5,010 million, up +6,0% on a comparable basis2. Gas & Services, Engineering & Construction, and Global Markets & Technologies contributed to this dynamic growth in a more favorable economic environment. This environment also had a positive impact on the Group’s Gas & Services base business3 and on the activity of our customers, whose projects are more numerous. The level of growth for the 1st quarter follows an already solid rise in sales observed in the 4th quarter of 2017 (+4.5%). On a reported basis, Group revenue decreased -3.2% compared with Q1 2017 due to a strong negative currency impact (-8.2%), a scope effect (-0.7%), and a slightly negative energy impact (-0.3%). Gas & Services revenue totaled € 4,831 million for the first three months of the year, up +5.0% on a comparable basis, and down -4.3% as published compared with the same period in 2017, due primarily to the negative currency impact and a scope impact. On a comparable basis, all geographies progressed. The developing economies recorded sales growth of +10.7% for the 1st quarter of 2018. On a comparable basis, Gas & Services sales rose this quarter for all activities:
● Industrial Merchant sales grew +4.2%, with increases observed in all geographies, particularly the developing economies. In the Americas, demand was higher in all market segments and was particularly strong in the manufacturing sector. Airgas posted solid sales for packaged gases and hardgoods. In Europe, activity remained robust despite an unfavorable calendar effect. All countries contributed to growth and demand remained dynamic in Eastern Europe. In Asia, China’s growth continued at a pace surpassing +15%, with bulk and cylinder volumes up substantially, particularly for the automotive, metal fabrication, and research sectors. Australia returned to growth. The global price effect at +2.1% for the 1st quarter, has strengthened compared to the 4th quarter of 2017.
● Large Industries posted sales growth of +6.0%, well above the 4th quarter of 2017. Large Industries
was experiencing a clear recovery in Europe, due in particular to sustained demand for hydrogen for the refining and petrochemicals industries, as well as solid cogeneration activity in Benelux. In the Americas, activity was driven by higher air gas sales in the United States and in Canada, and by the start-up of an oxygen production unit for a steelmaker in Argentina. In Asia, start-ups of air gas units in China and sustained demand for hydrogen in South Korea drove activity. High growth in the Middle East and Africa was attributable to the start-up of the world’s largest oxygen production unit in South Africa and the contribution of the Yanbu hydrogen production facility in Saudi Arabia, which is running at full capacity.
● Electronics revenue grew +5.7% in the 1st quarter of 2018, driven by double-digit sales growth in Asia
and high sales of equipment and installations globally. Asia benefited from start-ups and ramp-ups of carrier gas production units in China and in Japan, and from demand for advanced materials which remains strong.
● Healthcare sales remained solid, increasing by +4.9%. All regions posted growth in this quarter, and
activity was particularly dynamic for the developing economies, most notably in South America. Home healthcare continued to grow and demand for home diabetes care remains strong. Growth was also driven by strong demand for specialty ingredients developed for the cosmetics industry. The Group continued its strategy of targeted acquisitions with two new acquisitions, in France and in Saudi Arabia.
After several challenging quarters and stabilization in the 4th quarter of 2017, Engineering & Construction sales resumed growth in the 1st quarter of 2018, reaching € 85 million. The quarter saw further improvement in order intake.
2 Comparable change: excluding currency, energy, and significant scope impacts. 3 Comparable change excluding the contribution of startups, ramp-ups, and small acquisitions.
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The dynamic development of Global Markets & Technologies revenue continues, with sales reaching € 94 million, an increase of +24.4% on a comparable basis. Every market segment was experiencing growth, with activity driven in particular by start-ups of biomethane production units and high sales in the maritime sector. In addition, hydrogen energy for mobility is continuing to develop.
The Group is pursuing its efforts to reinforce competitiveness and generated operational efficiency gains of € 79 million. The cost and sales synergies linked to the acquisition of Airgas also continued during the 1st quarter of 2018, reaching a cumulative total since the acquisition of USD 237 million. Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital requirements for the first three months of the year reached € 975 million and corresponded to 19.5% of sales.
The slideshow that accompanies this release is available as of 9:00 am (Paris time) on www.airliquide.com
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CONTACTS
Media Relations +33 (0)1 40 62 50 59 Investor Relations Paris - France +33 (0)1 40 62 50 87 Philadelphia - USA +1 610 263 8277
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Dividend Ex-coupon Date: Monday, May 28, 2018 Dividend Payout Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018
2018 First Half Revenue and Results: Monday, July 30, 2018
The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 65,000 employees and serves more than 3.5 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company’s customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders. Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to 20.3 billion euros in 2017 and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.
Air Liquide – Q1 2018 Performance
Page 1/11
1st Quarter 2018 Revenue
Group sales were up +6.0%, marked by an acceleration in comparable growth for the sixth consecutive quarter. In a
favorable environment, sales were driven by strong base business growth in Gas & Services, activity improvement in
Engineering & Construction, and solid momentum in Global Markets & Technologies. The bidding activity for new
Large Industries projects also strongly increased.
Group revenue reached 5,010 million euros, down -3.2% as published, mainly due to a strongly negative currency
impact of -8.2%. Gas & Services revenue rose to 4,831 million euros, up +5.0% on a comparable basis, with a strong
contribution from all business lines and regions. In Industrial Merchant, growth remained very solid in all regions
and the sales increase of +6.0% in Large Industries benefited from start-ups and high customer demand.
Ongoing efforts to improve productivity led to 79 million euros in efficiencies and 22 million US dollar in synergies in
the 1st quarter of 2018, leading to 237 million US dollar of cumulated synergies related to the Airgas acquisition.
Cash Flow from operating activities before changes in working capital requirements amounted to 976 million euros
and reached 19.5% of sales.
The upturn in activity witnessed in investment projects in recent months was reflected in the increase of the main
indicators: the 12-month portfolio of opportunities reached 2.3 billion euros, investment decisions 565 million euros,
and the investment backlog 2.2 billion euros.
Q1 2018 Performance – Air Liquide
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Q1 2018 Highlights
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS
One year after the launch of the first remote operation center in France, Air Liquide inaugurated in January in
Malaysia its Smart Innovative Operations (SIO) Center for the Southeast Asia Pacific region. The SIO Center
enables the remote management of production for 18 Air Liquide Large Industries production units spanning
eight countries across the region, as well as optimizing energy consumption and improving reliability at these
sites. Air Liquide invested 20 million euros in this project.
In February, Air Liquide announced having recently started the world’s largest oxygen production unit for Sasol,
an international integrated energy and chemicals company. Air Liquide invested around 200 million euros for
the construction of this unit, with a total production capacity of 5,000 tonnes of oxygen per day in Secunda
(around 140 km East of Johannesburg). Owned and operated by Air Liquide, it is the first time that Sasol has
chosen to outsource its oxygen needs to a specialist of industrial gas production at this site.
In April, Air Liquide announced having signed a new long-term contract in the United States with LyondellBasell,
one of the world’s largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies, to supply oxygen to their new
petrochemical plant in Texas, expected to be completed in 2021. This new propylene oxide/tertiary butyl alcohol
plant (PO/TBA) is expected to be the largest in the world upon construction. The oxygen will be sourced from
Air Liquide’s pipeline system which spans more than 2,000 miles along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, one
of the largest pipeline systems in the world.
Air Liquide announced in April having signed a new long-term contract with Covestro, a world-leading supplier
of high-tech polymer materials, for the supply of hydrogen to their new production site in the port area of
Antwerp. Air Liquide will invest 80 million euros in the construction of a hydrogen production unit fitted with a
new proprietary technology that improves energy efficiency and the overall environmental footprint of the
production process. By capturing carbon and upgrading the recovered CO2, this model is part of a circular
economy system. The hydrogen produced will also enable Air Liquide to supply customers in this industrial
basin in Europe.
HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENTS
With the acquisition of the respiratory division of Thimar Al Jazirah Company (TAC) in Saudi Arabia, in early
January, Air Liquide enters the Home Healthcare market in Saudi Arabia, where the Group already supplies
medical gases to hospitals. This division acquired by Air Liquide through a majority equity stake (60%), is
specialized in the distribution of respiratory equipment and sleep disorder diagnosis for patients suffering from
respiratory conditions. TAC is the main player in this field, serving over 1,400 patients at home throughout the
country. In 2016, the Home Healthcare division of TAC generated a revenue of over 5.5 million euros.
Air Liquide extends its service offering of Home Healthcare activity via the acquisition at the beginning of April
of the start-up EOVE, a French company specialized in the design and manufacture of ventilators for home-based
patients suffering from chronic respiratory failure. EOVE developed an innovative solution: a connected portable
ventilator that takes into account the mobility needs of patients and facilitates the practice of doctors.
PROJETS IN INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Air Liquide and 10 large Japanese companies, representing several industries and finance, announced the
creation of the “Japan H2 Mobility” consortium for the purpose of accelerating the deployment in Japan of
hydrogen stations and fuel cell electric vehicles. The 11 founding companies will contribute to the development
of a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure in order to build a network of 320 stations by 2025, and 900 by 2030.
Today, there are about 100 stations already in operation in Japan. For its part, Air Liquide will install and operate
some 20 stations by 2021.
Air Liquide – Q1 2018 Performance
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In March, Air Liquide inaugurated a new hydrogen station near Versailles in France. This station will fuel two
hydrogen-powered buses, scheduled for rollout in 2019, and the Paris hydrogen taxi fleet “Hype” which is
developing rapidly with 75 hydrogen-powered vehicles and plans to deploy a total of 200 by the end of 2018.
This is the third hydrogen station that has been installed by Air Liquide in the Greater Paris Area.
Since the beginning of 2018, Air Liquide has commissioned three new biomethane production units, in the United
States, in France, and in the United Kingdom. With these units, Air Liquide has doubled its biomethane production
capacity, which now stands at 60 MW, the equivalent of 500 GWh for a full year of production. Over the course
of the last four years, the Group has decided around 100 million euros in investments in biomethane production.
Today, the Group operates 10 production units around the world, designed to purify biogas in order to transform
it into biomethane and inject it into the natural gas network.
BOND ISSUE
In March, Air Liquide successfully completed a first bond issuance on the Chinese mainland market (“Panda”)
for an aggregate nominal amount of 2.2 billion Renminbi, approximatively 280 million euros, becoming one of
the first European companies to issue on this market. This transaction bears coupons of 5.95% and 6.40% for
a 3-year and a 5-year maturity respectively. The 5-year issuance, the longest maturity ever achieved by a
European company on the Panda market, reflects the long-term dimension of the Group’s activities. The
proceeds of this issue will be used to finance new investments in China and to refinance debt related to previous
investments in China.
Q1 2018 Performance – Air Liquide
PAGE 4/11
Analysis of 1st quarter revenue
Unless otherwise stated, all variations in revenue outlined below are on a comparable basis, excluding currency,
energy (natural gas and electricity) and significant scope impacts. Reference to Airgas corresponds to the Group’s
Industrial Merchant and Healthcare activities in the United States.
REVENUE
Revenue (in millions of euros) Q1 2017 Q1 2018
2018/2017 published
change
2018/2017 comparable
change
Gas & Services 5,046 4,831 -4.3% +5.0%
Engineering & Construction 53 85 +62.7% +75.2%
Global Markets & Technologies 77 94 +21.4% +24.4%
TOTAL REVENUE 5,176 5,010 -3.2% +6.0%
Group
Group revenue for the 1st quarter of 2018 totaled 5,010 million euros. It benefitted from a further increase of
comparable growth which reached +6.0%, driven by high Gas & Services sales, an activity improvement in
Engineering & Construction and strong developments in Global Markets & Technologies. The currency impact was
strongly negative at -8.2%, mainly due to the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar. The energy impact was
slightly negative and stood at -0.3%. The sale of Airgas Refrigerants activity at the end of 2017 led to a significant
scope impact of -0.7%. As published revenue growth was therefore down at -3.2%.
Gas & Services
Gas & Services revenue reached 4,831 million euros, up +5.0% on a comparable basis, with a strong contribution
from all business lines and regions. Industrial Merchant growth was sustained and Large Industries benefited from
a major start-up in South Africa; growth was solid in Healthcare and demand remained very dynamic in Electronics,
in line with the 4th quarter of 2017. As published sales were down -4.3% due to negative currency, energy and
significant scope impacts (at -8.3%, -0.3% and -0.7% respectively).
(in millions of euros) Q1 2017 Q1 2018
2018/2017 published
change
2018/2017 comparable
change
Americas 2,142 1,901 -11.3% +4.5%
Europe 1,710 1,753 +2.5% +3.3%
Asia-Pacific 1,024 1,016 -0.8% +6.8%
Middle East & Africa 170 161 -5.4% +16.7%
GAS & SERVICES REVENUE 5,046 4,831 -4.3% +5.0%
Large Industries 1,392 1,365 -1.9% +6.0%
Industrial Merchant 2,384 2,208 -7.4% +4.2%
Healthcare 850 850 -0.1% +4.9%
Electronics 420 408 -3.1% +5.7%
Air Liquide – Q1 2018 Performance
Page 5/11
Americas
Gas & Services revenue in the Americas zone amounted to 1,901 million euros, up +4.5%. This reflected a high
activity level in Large Industries and a very solid growth in Industrial Merchant. Healthcare maintained its strong
momentum in the zone.
Large Industries posted revenue growth of +4.5%. It
benefitted from strong air gases sales growth,
driven by the start-up and ramp-up of units in
South America, in Argentina and in Colombia, and by
high prices in North America following the storms at
the beginning of the year.
Industrial Merchant sales were up +4.3%. Demand
was up in all end markets and in particular in the
manufacturing sector. In the United States, sales of
cylinder gases and hardgoods were solid.
Nevertheless, growth was slightly hampered by the
insufficient availability of argon following the
storms at the beginning of the year. In Canada,
cylinder gas volumes were up strongly and offset
lower liquid nitrogen volumes, which suffered from
a shortage in the sand required for oil extraction in
Alberta. Growth in South America remained dynamic and volumes continued to improve in Brazil. Price impacts
in the zone heightened and stood at +2.6%, driven by the United States and Canada.
Healthcare revenue was up +8.3%, with limited contribution from bolt-on acquisitions. Growth was strong in
Medical gases in the United States and in Home Healthcare in Canada, notably in sleep apnea. Activity growth
maintained its strong momentum in Latin America.
Electronics revenue was slightly down at -1.1%, due to the low level of Equipment & Installation sales.
Europe
Revenue in Europe totaled 1,753 million euros, up +3.3%. Growth stabilized at a solid level in Industrial Merchant,
despite an unfavorable working day impact. Large Industries posted a positive growth driven by high hydrogen
demand. Healthcare continued its steady growth.
Large Industries revenue was up +4.4% following a
year in decline in 2017. Growth was driven by a
marked increase in hydrogen volumes due to good
activity levels at refineries in the Benelux and
Germany, as well as by the strong momentum of
cogeneration activities supported by peak winter
electricity demand. Sales continued to grow in
developing economies, in particular in Turkey.
Industrial Merchant revenue was up +3.2%, despite
an unfavorable working day impact. In Western
Europe, all countries contributed to growth. Italy
was up across most end markets, whereas the
Benelux, Austria and Germany benefited more
particularly from the Materials & Energy sector.
Developing economies posted double-digit growth,
in particular in Poland, Russia and Turkey, where
almost all market segments were up. Liquid oxygen and cylinder gas volumes were up overall. The price impact
continued to strengthen and stood at +0.8%.
Americas Gas & Services Q1 2018 Revenue
Europe Gas & Services Q1 2018 Revenue
Q1 2018 Performance – Air Liquide
PAGE 6/11
Healthcare continued its steady development posting sales growth of +3.4%, with a limited contribution from
bolt-on acquisitions. Home Healthcare momentum was strong, with a continued increase in the number of
patients, in particular in diabetes and Parkinson's disease care in Northern Europe. Sales growth in
Medical gases for hospitals was limited due to constant price pressure. Sales in Specialty ingredients grew
significantly, in particular in cosmetics.
Asia-Pacific
Revenue for the Asia Pacific zone stood at 1,016 million euros, up +6.8%, driven notably by strong momentum in
China (> +10%). Sales growth in Large Industries benefited from the start-up of new units in the 3rd quarter of 2017
and solid volumes. Industrial Merchant was up markedly, with very strong growth in China. Double-digit Electronics
sales growth was driven by thriving demand for Advanced Materials and high Equipment & Installation sales.
Large Industries sales were up +4.3%, supported by
the start-ups in China in the 3rd quarter of 2017 of
two new air separation units and the takeover of a
unit from a customer. These additional sales largely
offset the revenue from three isolated units in
Northern China which were sold at the end of 2017.
Customer demand was very sustained, in particular
in China in chemicals and steel, in South Korea in
chemicals, and in Singapore in refining.
Industrial Merchant revenue was up +6.2% despite
an unfavorable working day impact. Performance
was contrasted by country. In China, growth
exceeded +15% for the fourth quarter in a row,
driven by an increase in cylinder gas volumes and by
higher prices and gas volumes in liquid form, in
particular argon, even though price increases
slowed down this quarter after being particularly high in the 4th quarter of 2017. Revenue in Japan was down
due to high equipment sales in 2017. Activity in Australia improved. Price impacts, at +1.6%, were lower than
the very high level of the 4th quarter of 2017, closer to those of the 3rd quarter.
Electronics revenue was up by a strong +10.7%, driven by the strong developments in Advanced Materials, in
particular in Taiwan and South Korea, start-ups in Carrier Gases, as well as strong sales in
Equipment & Installations.
Middle-East and Africa
Middle East and Africa revenue amounted to 161 million euros, up +16.7%. Large Industries sales benefited from
the start-up at the end of the 4th quarter of 2017 of the largest air separation unit in the world in South Africa and
from sustained hydrogen demand in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Activity remained very dynamic in Egypt, with the start-up
of an air separation unit this quarter and growing volumes in Industrial Merchant. Healthcare continued to develop
steadily, in particular in South Africa and Saudi Arabia, where a recent acquisition led to the launch of the
Home Healthcare activity.
Asia-Pacific Gas & Services Q1 2018 Revenue
Air Liquide – Q1 2018 Performance
Page 7/11
Engineering & Construction
Engineering & Construction revenue totaled 85 million euros, up +75.2% compared to the weak level of sales of the
1st quarter of 2017. It benefitted from the gradual improvement in order intake seen in 2017.
Order intake reached 191 million euros, an increase compared with 107 million euros in the 1st quarter of 2017. More
than 70% of orders concerned air separation units. They included Group projects as well as orders for third party
customers, in particular in the Chemicals sector.
Global Markets & Technologies
Global Markets & Technologies sales were up +24.4% at 94 million euros. Sales were particularly dynamic in the
biogas sector, which benefited from the start-up of a major landfill biogas purification unit in the United States,
two smaller farm waste biogas purification units in France and in the United Kingdom and the contribution from an
acquisition in Norway in the 3rd quarter of 2017. Activities related to the space industry and maritime logistics also
grew markedly.
Order intake was up compared with the 1st quarter of 2017 and reached 122 million euros.
Q1 2018 Performance – Air Liquide
PAGE 8/11
Investment cycle
The upturn in activity witnessed in investment projects in recent months was reflected in the increase in the
1st quarter of 2018 of the main indicators described below.
PORTFOLIO OF OPPORTUNITIES
The 12-month portfolio of opportunities totaled 2.3 billion euros at the end of March 2018, up compared with the
end of December 2017 (2.1 billion euros), with new projects in the portfolio being higher than those signed by the
Group, awarded to the competition or delayed.
The share of developing economies in the 12-month portfolio of opportunities was around 45%, up compared with
December 31, 2017. The Americas remained the leading region within the portfolio.
Around 40% of the portfolio of opportunities corresponded to projects with investments inferior to 50 million euros
and only a few projects were greater than 100 million euros. The portfolio of opportunities also benefitted from a
higher number of takeovers that have a faster growth contribution.
INVESTMENT DECISIONS AND INVESTMENT BACKLOG
Industrial and financial investment decisions totaled 565 million euros in the 1st quarter of 2018, an increase
compared with 497 million euros in the 1st quarter of 2017. Industrial decisions accounted for almost this entire
amount and included in particular two major contracts in Large Industries, in Benelux and on the Gulf Coast of the
United States, and ultra-pure nitrogen supply contracts for Electronics in Taiwan and Japan. Financial investment
decisions remained limited in the 1st quarter, but the pace of bolt-on acquisitions is expected to pick up in the months
ahead.
The total investment backlog amounted to 2.2 billion euros, an increase of more than 100 million euros compared
with the end of 2017. The investment backlog should lead to a future contribution to sales of approximately
0.9 billion euros per year after the full ramp-up of the units.
START-UPS
Three new units started up during the 1st quarter of 2018. They include a site in Colombia with a CO2 production unit
and a cogeneration unit, an air separation unit in Egypt and a landfill biogas purification unit in the United States.
The contribution to sales of the ramp-ups and start-ups of units totaled 67 million euros over the quarter, benefitting
primarily from the start-up of a major air separation unit in South Africa at the end of December 2017 and the
start-up of units in China during the 3rd quarter of 2017. Over the year, this contribution to sales will depend in
particular on the effective commercial start-up date of the contract with the customer Fujian Shenyuan in China.
Air Liquide units are ready for start-up but discussions are still ongoing with the customer on the date of commercial
start-up. The contribution of unit ramp-ups and start-ups to 2018 sales is now estimated between 250 and
300 million euros.
Air Liquide – Q1 2018 Performance
Page 9/11
Operating Performance
Group efficiency gains reached 79 million euros in the 1st quarter, in line with the annual target of more than
300 million euros. They include a contribution from Airgas for the 1st time, of 5 million euros. This performance is
part of an ongoing effort and includes numerous projects throughout the Group. More than 50% of these efficiencies
related to industrial projects, around 25% to purchasing gains, and the balance mainly to administrative efficiencies
and restructuring. The Large Industries and Industrial Merchant were the business lines generating most of the
efficiencies and accounted for almost two thirds of total efficiencies.
Additional Airgas synergies represented 22 million US dollars in the 1st quarter and 237 million US dollars in total
since the acquisition of Airgas. The share of growth synergies is rising and now represents a little over one third of
the quarter’s synergies. These come from the roll-out of cross-selling offers in the United States, such as small
onsite generators using Air Liquide technology offered to Airgas customers and cylinder gases and hardgoods now
available to Air Liquide customers. They also come from support for Airgas customers in their expansion in Canada
and Mexico. At the end of the 1st quarter of 2018, cumulated cost synergies have exceeded 200 million US dollars.
Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital requirements for the first three months of the
year reached 976 million euros and corresponded to 19.5% of sales. It allows in particular the financing of gross
industrial capital expenditure that totaled 570 million euros for the quarter. Gross capital expenditure represented
11.4% of sales, in line with the mid-term strategic plan.
Outlook
For the first three months of this year, revenue growth was very solid on a comparable basis. It accelerated
compared with the previous quarters in a more favorable economic environment. The activity level in terms of new
customers’ projects was also higher.
All activities leveraged on this environment. The growth of Large Industries, driven by stronger demand in Europe
and the start-ups and ramp-ups of new production units, is of particular note, as is the sustained growth of Industrial
Merchant. This quarter was also marked by improvement in Engineering & Construction and the ever-dynamic
development of Global Markets & Technologies. In addition, all geographies were up, especially Asia, with
double-digit sales growth in China.
The Group continues to generate recurring operational efficiency gains and new synergies related to the integration
of Airgas. Cash flow remains high, allowing for further targeted investments. In the 1st quarter, investment decisions
amounted to nearly 600 million euros and will contribute to the future growth of the Group.
Accordingly, assuming a comparable environment, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to deliver net profit growth
in 2018, calculated at constant exchange rate and excluding 2017 exceptionals1.
1 2017 exceptionals: exceptional non-cash items having a net positive impact on 2017 net profit.
Q1 2018 Performance – Air Liquide
PAGE 10/11
APPENDICES
Currency, energy and significant scope impacts (Quarter)
Applied method
In addition to the comparison of published figures, financial information is given excluding currency, natural gas and
electricity price fluctuation and significant scope impacts.
Since industrial and medical gases are rarely exported, the impact of currency fluctuations on activity levels
and results is limited to euro translation impacts with respect to the financial statements of subsidiaries located
outside the euro zone. The currency effect is calculated based on the aggregates for the period converted at
the exchange rate for the previous period.
In addition, the Group passes on variations in the cost of energy (electricity and natural gas) to its customers
via indexed invoicing integrated into their medium and long-term contracts. This indexing can lead to significant
variations in sales (mainly in the Large Industries Business Line) from one period to another depending on
fluctuations in prices on the energy market.
An energy impact is calculated based on the sales of each of the main subsidiaries in Large Industries. Their
consolidation allows the determination of the energy impact for the Group as a whole. The foreign exchange
rate used is the average annual exchange rate for the year N-1.
Thus, at the subsidiary level, the following formula provides the energy impact, calculated for natural gas and
electricity respectively:
Energy impact = Share of sales index to energy year (N-1) x (Average energy price over the year (N) - Average
energy price over the year (N-1))
This indexation effect of electricity and natural gas does not impact the operating income recurring.
The significant scope effect corresponds to the impact on sales of all acquisitions or disposals of a significant
size for the Group. These changes in scope of consolidation are determined:
- for acquisitions during the period, by deducting from the aggregates for the period the contribution of the
acquisition,
- for acquisitions during the previous period, by deducting from the aggregates for the period the contribution
of the acquisition between January 1 of the current period and the anniversary date of the acquisition,
- for disposals during the period, by deducting from the aggregates for the previous period the contribution
of the disposed entity as of the anniversary date of the disposal,
- for disposals during the previous period, by deducting from the aggregates for the previous period the
contribution of the disposed entity.
Consolidated Q1 2018 revenue includes the following impacts:
(in millions of euros) Q1
2018
Q1 2018/2017 Published
Growth Currency
impact Natural
gas impact Electricity
impact
Significant scope
impact
Q1 2018/2017
Comparable Growth
Revenue
Group 5,010 -3.2% (422) (14) (2) (35) +6.0%
Impacts in % -8.2% -0.3% -0.0% -0.7%
Gas and Services 4,831 -4.3% (413) (14) (2) (35) +5.0%
Impacts in % -8.3% -0.3% -0.0% -0.7%
Air Liquide – Q1 2018 Performance
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The sale of the Airgas Refrigerants activity in October 2017 generates a significant scope impact on 2018 revenue,
the quarterly impact of which is detailed below:
(in millions of euros) Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Q4 2018
Airgas refrigerants (35) (36) (26) (1)
Impacts in % -0.7% -0.7% -0.5% -0.0%